The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda Sports Reporter
EDWARD Sadomba, the first Zimbabwean player to feature in the Sudan Premier League with giants Al Hilal, is amazed by his predecessor Last Jesi’s quick adaptation to the North African country’s elite football.
Sadomba spent four fruitful seasons at Al Hilal between 2009 and 2012 and won the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup Golden Boot awards with them.
He also had a second stint in 2016.
That was before 25-year-old Jesi became the second Zimbabwean player to sign for a Sudanese club when he joined Al Hilal in September.
The former Manica Diamonds player, who was on loan at FC Platinum when he signed for Al Hilal, has made an instant impact in Sudan.
Jesi scored on his debut when the Omdurman-based side drew 1-1 against Hay Al Arab in a Sudan Premier League match at Al Hilal Stadium on December 28.
The Zimbabwean midfielder is now poised for a place in the Al Hilal squad, which takes on Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the CAF Champions League first round second leg tie at the Al Hilal Stadium on Wednesday.
Al Hilal beat Asante Kotoko 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
“I’m very pleased with Jesi’s progress, scoring a goal on your debut is not easy, given the pressure,” Sadomba said.
“I think he has done reasonably well since he had been on a long lay-off due to the Covid-19 pandemic which stopped all football activities in Zimbabwe.
“It’s not easy to settle there (in Sudan) because of the different culture and lifestyle, but he is surrounded by good people there and hopefully he will keep his head high and do more,” said Sadomba.
Al Hilal feted Sadomba like a king in recognition of the crucial goals he scored during his stay in Sudan, and Jesi is hoping to emulate his role model.
“Life is not that bad here, I thank God,” Jesi told The Sunday Mail Sport from Sudan.
“It’s nice to score on your debut, I am trying my best to do the best I can.
“I can’t say I have settled as yet, but I have some players who speak English, and they have been accommodating. As for the other things, I am not interested, I am focused on what I came here for and that is to play football,” said the Sakubva-born star.
Jesi joined Manica Diamonds from Buffaloes before moving to FC Platinum on loan in 2019.
He impressed Al Hilal when FC Platinum lost 0-1 against the Sudanese giants in a CAF Champions League group match at Barbourfields on January 25, 2020.
Jesi is now aiming to emulate Sadomba, who up to now is still highly regarded at Al Hilal, four years after the former Dynamos star left Sudan.
In December 2019, Sadomba was given the royal treatment by the United Arab Emirates chapter of the Al Hilal fans.
Sadomba and his wife Sherlynn travelled to the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of the UAE chapter.
The former Dynamos skipper, who is now retired and undertaking some business and philanthropic projects, scored 98 goals in 90 appearances for Al Hilal.
